Abati Claims El-Rufai May Remain in Detention Until After 2027 Elections

(Reuben Abati. Photo by Daily News Nigeria)

Veteran journalist and former presidential aide Reuben Abati has suggested that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai may remain in d£tention until after the 2027 general election, citing what he described as both legal and political dimensions to the case.

Speaking during a breakfast programme on Wednesday, Abati noted that El-Rufai’s bail conditions are particularly stringent and that the court had refused to vary them despite the former governor’s reported inability to meet a key requirement specifically, the production of a Level 17 Federal Capital Territory official as a surety, a condition El-Rufai reportedly said he could not fulfil.

Abati added that the case involves allegations bordering on wiretapping and corruption, with proceedings adjourned until September.

“The bail conditions for El-Rufai, yes, they are very stringent, but the way I see it, there is more involved. There is also politics involved,” he said.

“It’s a very complex case because he has issues with regard to wire tapping, issues with regard to other allegations about corruption, about what he did, and then the case has been postponed till September.

“So the way it looks in terms of real politics, I don’t think they will do anything about releasing Nasir El-Rufai until after the election.

“You should just know that this is politics, but this is also about responsibility and accountability. We cannot challenge the court in terms of what the court decides.

It is within the discretion of the court to say these are the bail conditions, and he says he cannot meet at least one principal bail condition,” he said.